Candidate

Last night progressives had an overwhelming victory in Chicago. Successfully forcing Mayor Rahm Emanuel into a runoff election and defending 7 progressive members of the City Council. Check out DFA Chair Jim Dean's update to our members below.

We did it!!!

Last night's opening paragraph in USA TODAY would have seemed nearly impossible just a few months ago:

"CHICAGO -- Rahm Emanuel was dealt a tough political blow on Tuesday, after he was forced into a runoff election to hold onto his seat as mayor of the Windy City."

Progressives not only forced Rahm Emanuel to become the first mayor in Chicago history to face a runoff election, we also beat back his SuperPAC and his wealthy funders' campaign to defeat the progressive champions he attacked on the Chicago City Council.

Five of Democracy for America's seven endorsed progressive members of Chicago's City Council -- who we called the Chicago Seven -- have WON their primaries outright and two are the leading candidates in their impending runoff elections on April 7.

DFA dedicated national resources and organizing power to defend seven progressive City Council members because we knew how important they were to defending the working families of Chicago against union-busters and big corporations. Rahm Emanuel and his corporate cronies have awoken a massive grassroots army across the city committed to ending his agenda of privatization, public school closings, and pension cuts.

In the weeks ahead, Democracy for America -- alongside our friends at United Working Families, MoveOn, and the Chicago Teachers Union -- will go all in to defeat Rahm Emanuel in the runoff on April 7 and elect Jesus "Chuy" Garcia as Chicago's new mayor.

We will also fight to re-elect Aldermen John Arena and Toni Foulkes, who are going to a runoff against two of Rahm's cronies. DFA members will harness that grassroots energy to build a lasting, broad-based progressive movement that will bring Elizabeth Warren-style, populist progressive reform to Chicago in the years to come.

DFA members like you made this victory possible. Since December, Democracy for America and our members have rallied to fight back against Rahm Emanuel's attacks on the Chicago Seven by:

Raising and spending more than $65,000 to defend the Chicago Seven.

Making more than 30,000 calls and knocking on 2,157 doors in targeted wards.

Hiring full-time staff organizers, working out of Northside and Southside offices.

Working with MoveOn to turn out the vote for Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in the mayoral race.

Supporting the local DFA groups, Northside DFA and Southside DFA, in their strategy to expand the map and elect strong new progressive challengers and turn out the anti-Rahm vote.

Rahm Emanuel and his allies had more than $30 million at their disposal. You helped build the people-powered campaigns that turned people out to the polls and overcame that huge financial advantage.

But this isn't over yet. Rahm Emanuel is bruised, but not beaten. Now that he is in a runoff against Chuy Garcia, Chicago voters can unite behind a strong progressive and put an end to Rahm's rule -- and re-elect progressive champions John Arena and Toni Foulkes. Will you help build the campaign and lead progressives to victory?

Earlier this morning, Democracy for America released brand new polling in DFA-endorsed candidate Rep. Mike Honda's race to continue representing the CA-17. Here's the press release and polling that we shared with the media:

Despite aggressive campaigning by his billionaire financed Democratic and Republican opponents, Congressman Mike Honda continues to hold double-digit leads in both primary and general election polling for his CA-17 race and 61% of CA-17 voters polled approve of the way Rep. Honda is handling his job as their Congressman. (results below)

The recent polling conducted by Public Policy Polling on behalf of Democracy for America also shows how quickly Republican Vanila Singh's entrance into the CA-17 race has derailed corporate Democrat Ro Khanna effort to challenge Honda from the right.

In the three-way jungle primary, Honda is the choice of 45% of voters, while Republican Singh (29%) beats corporate Democrat Khanna (26%) for second place despite having only entered the race in December.

Khanna, whose campaign is financed primarily by millionaire and billionaire CEOs like right-wing libertarian Peter Theil, has burned through $1.1 million to secure his third place finish in the PPP poll. According to the most recent FEC reports, Singh has spent just $917.

In addition to leading the three way primary, Honda bests both Republican Singh (69%-31%) and corporate Democrat Khanna (61%-39%) in a simulated general election polling.

Quote, if helpful:

"Mike Honda has earned the support of Silicon Valley voters and he continues to have their support today, no matter how many max out contributions millionaire and billionaire CEOs and Executives pour into Vanila Singh and Ro Khanna's campaigns." -- Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director, Democracy for America

As you know here at DFA we endorse progressive candidates all the way from Senate down to local school board. This fall there are many important elections going on around the country and we will be regularly highlighting our many great progressive candidates.

Politicians in Richmond, VA have created and poured gasoline on many fires -- bad transportation, ignoring the environment, terrible laws that take away retirees benefits, and the list goes on.

We believe in firefighter and paramedic Rob Farinholt, a Virginian with a proven track record of serving the public, and that’s why DFA is proud to support him for Delegate in Virginia’s District 94. Unlike the majority of delegates in office, Rob Farinholt comes from a public safety background with lifelong ties to his community.

As a first responder Rob has a front row seat to happens when priorities are askew in Virginia’s state house. He’s seen what a lack of equipment and funds can do to a fire department. One of the most decorated firemen in his area, Rob earned a Medal of Honor in 2007 and Gold Medal of Valor in 2008 for marine rescues and he’s seen the impact that politician’s poor priorities have on the day-to-day lives our our brave first responders.

A champion of reproductive and LGBTQ rights, Rob is also an advocate for social development measures in Virginia’s 94th district. He is committed to improving industry, and advocates for essential job-creation legislation and increased funding of public services like education and transportation. Rob has seen firsthand the damage that government neglect does to communities and will bring that insight with him to Richmond as a delegate.

In striking contrast, Rob’s opponent, incumbent David Yancey, has aided the passing of a bill that removes purchase limits on handguns and a bill that reduces state employee retirement benefits. His conservatism doesn't stop there -- Delegate Yancey voted for forced vaginial ultrasounds and supported efforts to permit adoption agencies to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples. With 5,927 children in foster care and 14,000 same sex couples in Virginia, Yancey’s support for bigotry both denied children access to loving homes and cost Virginia taxpayers at least $2 million.

The progressive choice is clear. Rob Farinholt may not have wealthy 1% donors like Delegate Yancey, but he is ready to put up a fight with a team of dedicated friends and volunteers fueling his people-powered campaign.